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Measuring Analytical Quality: Total Analytical Error Versus Measurement Uncertainty
James O Westgard1, Sten A Westgard2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Westgard QC, Inc, Madison, WI 53717, USA.
Abstract:
To characterize analytical quality of a laboratory test, common practice is to estimate Total Analytical Error (TAE) which includes both imprecision and trueness (bias). The metrologic approach is to determine Measurement Uncertainty (MU), which assumes bias can be eliminated, corrected, or ignored. Resolving the differences in these concepts and approaches is currently a global issue.
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